Reopening plans unveiled in Hillsborough
Reopening schools was the topic for Hillsborough County’s Superintendent Davis yesterday. His plan is fluid but likely allows families to have a choice. The plan was outlined in a 47…
School leaders warn of massive budget cuts
School leaders across the country are sounding the alarm on looming budget cuts. The pandemic has led to a national fiscal crisis predicted to be worse than the Great Recession.…
CARES Act: How much will Florida schools receive?
The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27th, gave an unprecedented $2 trillion economic relief to individuals, businesses, and states. $30.75 billion of that money went to the Education…
Funding needed for students, teachers
Teacher salaries have been in the spotlight after years of chronic under funding of public schools. Many Florida school districts have struggled to negotiate contracts with their teachers. Districts across…
About That Per-Pupil Funding Increase …
State lawmakers, back home in their districts, tout the increase in education funding in the 2019-2020 budget that took effect July 1st. However, a closer look reveals that politicians shortchanged…
Florida’s school grading system rests on shoulders of children
On Friday, the Florida Department of Education released FSA scores to school districts and parents. This single standardized test determines advancement to the next grade, graduation eligibility, teacher pay, school…
Florida House, Senate far apart on education budget
The Republican-led Florida House and Senate released competing budget proposals on Friday. The budgets differ from each other and also differ in many ways from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposals. The…
Florida’s public schools deserve support
by Betty Castor, published by the Tampa Bay Times Betty Castor, former teacher, Hillsborough County commissioner and state senator, served as Florida’s commissioner of education and later as president of…
Arizona voucher opponents’ win- a model for Florida?
Florida school voucher proponents overwhelmingly won their elections in November. Avid supporters like Governor-elect DeSantis, likely Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran and leadership in the Florida Legislature are poised to…
Tampa Bay Times: Answering questions about the referendum
The Tampa Bay Times has endorsed the school referendum on the ballot in Hillsborough County in November. They followed up with a column on why voters should pass the referendum:…